EVEN DURING THIS PANDEMIC
THERE IS A WHOLE LOT OF GOODNESS OUT THERE
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Letter to the Hebrews 13:2
Watch this beautiful YouTube video sent to me by my classmate, Father Charlie Dittmeier, who is working as a missionary with the deaf in Cambodia.
FEELING GOD'S PRESENCE IN A TIME OF ABSENCE
1. I have been amazed at how many people locally have contacted me saying, "If you need anything, please let me know. I would be glad to go get it for you!" I have also gotten messages of support from friends in Ireland, Canada, Germany, Tanzania, Belgium, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Cambodia, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as from all over the United States.
2. My youngest brother, Mark, came up to Louisville recently to bring me an "emergency box" that he had put together in case I had to "run to the hospital or anoint someone." It had a red cross on top and held a few masks, rubber gloves and hand wipes. He also brought a selection of food. When I went out to get it from his truck, I noticed he had three large coolers in the back. They were filled with items he had picked up in stores for neighbors, family members and shut-ins. My aunt Margaret, one of the recipients said to me, "That's his mother coming out!" She would be so proud!
3. We have needs in this country, but many people living in the Caribbean missions where I volunteer have even more pressing needs - always have had and will probably always have! Whatever bad happens here, happens down there in spades!
I have been so inspired by a few people who have joined me in making donations to help Bishop County out with clergy salaries ($215 a month each in US dollars) during this difficult time. It says to me that they see the church as much bigger than their parish, their diocese or their country! The very word "catholic" means "universal." It's us! They "get it!"
I have been so inspired by a few people who have joined me in making donations to help Bishop County out with clergy salaries ($215 a month each in US dollars) during this difficult time. It says to me that they see the church as much bigger than their parish, their diocese or their country! The very word "catholic" means "universal." It's us! They "get it!"
4. Watching all the medical professionals working among the sick and dying is so inspirational. They are risking their own lives to help others live! If they cannot help them live, they are helping them die with dignity and in as much comfort and peace as possible. They sometime even become links to family members who cannot be there to say "goodbye." A "priest" is a bridge between God and his people. In a certain sense, it seems that we have no shortage of "priests" these days - people who are willing to help "bridge the gap" between people. This time it is primarily the laity!
A REFLECTION FROM MY FRIEND, ARCHBISHOP RIVAS, OF THE ISLAND COUNTRY OF SAINT LUCIA, NEIGHBOR TO SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES.
(I led their priest retreat two years ago.)
THE WORLD IS CHANGING, IT SEEMS
+Robert Rivas O.P.
Archbishop of Castries, Saint Lucia
March 29,2020
COVID-19 is a devastating pandemic
distancing us from each other
and yet Social Distancing
has helped to bring us closer to one another.
The times have changed rapidly
and so has the global mentality.
Day by day we are learning to live as sisters and brothers
in the company of the afflicted and the suffering.
THE WORLD IS CHANGING, IT SEEMS!
The pandemic has taken its toll
causing lockdowns and quarantine;
with nations lamenting
and people made to stay at home.
This is very hard for a civilization that does not know,
what home is like.
We have found ourselves as strangers
in a strange place.
This is difficult to comprehend
when the greatest good of all:
the FAMILY, is at stake.
Staying home is creating new consciousness,
new values and relationships.
THE WORLD IS CHANGING, IT SEEMS!
Don’t be downcast.
Be not afraid.
This is a moment of grace:
A time to avoid the rat-race.
Our impulse is to GO:
to go out, to leave home and hang out.
A ‘little’ virus has slowed us down:
caused us to ease up on going out,
shopping and buying things;
accumulating more and more.
We need to take time to find ourselves
in the jungle we have created,
where competition made us enemies
and suspicious of each other;
greedy and wanting to be on top
and ahead of the other.
This lust for power made us unreal!
Indeed, staying home is very revealing.
THE WORLD IS CHANGING, IT SEEMS!
The horizons are changing.
Peoples and nations are communicating.
Peace is better than war.
Being one’s sister’s and brother’s keeper
is better than ignoring each other.
Compassion and kindness are more wholesome
than living selfishly.
The crying earth and the crying poor
are observing humanity in its resurrecting!
The tomb of despair and egoism
has cracked wide-open
Humanity is healing, craving and caring.
Holy Church herself is waking,
walking tenderly by faith
in the hope of new beginnings.
What a great time for humility and restructuring.
In weakness and vulnerability is strength.
In every crisis there is opportunity and a new Advent.
THE WORLD IS CHANGING, IT SEEMS!
The greatest change must come from within.
A lesson to learn from Covid-19.
Now is the time to make the world a better place
through walking by faith
and greater caring and sharing.
Covid-19 has had its sway.
The next move is ours.
Let’s choose the best way.
In a dramatically short space of time
the old world has passed away.
Through our suffering and struggle
we are winning the battle,
in the dawning of a new day.
THE WORLD HAS CHANGED. IT SEEMS!
No comments:
Post a Comment